I think a big part of 'American Idol' that scares people and actually has, I'm sure, stopped people from trying out is the fact that you do have to do things that are necessarily not your genre.
I like blue a lot, and greens. Earthy blues and greens.
I know what it's like to be shoveling to pay bills. I know what it's like to not have a job.
This is America - you're allowed to say and do what you want and what you say and do defines who you are as a person.
If you've ever lived in Chicago, anyone who has, they know what a winter in Chicago is like. To be going through a tough time here in the winter would be just be all the more worse.
I'm the first one to admit, I'm a pretty unorthodox guitar player.
There are so many good venues in Chicago.
Winning 'American Idol' is awesome.
I overthink a lot of things.
When you go through life, when you go through different things, you take risks, you question yourself. I think everybody does, at some point in their life, question themselves.
I'm not here to change the music world, but I'm definitely here to show what I can do and express myself through my music.
I think I can connect with an audience because I know what it's like to be on the other side of it and I really remember all of that.
Food in Chicago is the best.
I have a pretty wide range of musical tastes.
Working a job I love is mentally less stressful than punching in a clock everyday, but it's a lot busier.
Writing on the road is a passion of mine.
Some people take pictures; I write songs.
I love knowing that people are connecting to my lyrics, my music and me.
I will always appreciate 'American Idol,' and I never forget about where I come from.
I'd love to work with Sufjan Stevens. He so gets it. He's amazing.
